Tag Archives: Aircraft

Piddle Pack Sparks Lawsuit

The unsung hero of the long duration sortie (or small bladder), the piddle pack is now the focus of a lawsuit:

American Innotek, the California company that makes the [“Flight Extender”]…is suing the federal government over alleged infringement of its patented urine containment bag.

Apparently Innotek lost their contract when their “Flight Extender” was replaced by New York City Industry for the Blind’s “Piddle Pak.”  (The name likely came from the affectionate appellation, not the other way around.)  Innotek alleges that the piddle pak infringed on their patent.

Who would ever think the potty-in-a-pouch would ever be such a big deal?  Then again, ask any fighter pilot on a long flight after he drank too much coffee in the brief…

US Army’s Gray Eagle Gets Hellfire

The US Army proudly announced its MQ-1C Gray Eagle had successfully employed a Hellfire missile in Iraq.

Of course, the Army’s Gray Eagle is essentially the same aircraft as the Air Force’s Predator, which has been armed for some time.

The article notes some of the differences between Air Force and Army operations:

The Air Force’s Predator drones are flown by officers who are usually located back in the USA and connected to the airframes by satellite link. But flying the Army’s Gray Eagle is an enlisted soldier’s affair, done in theater and close to the ground troops that the airframe serves.

Fighter Pilots Fly All-Female Combat Mission

Remember that conversation about the military not always hyping gender?

With an eye to Women’s History Month, an F-15E Strike Eagle unit in Afghanistan recently orchestrated an “all-female” mission.  Two F-15Es were flown by two female pilots and two female weapons systems operators.  Though not all the other personnel are named, the rest of the mission support, generation, and planning was also “carefully planned” to be done “entirely by females:” Read more

A-10 Crashes in Germany, Harrier Down in Mideast, 2 UAVs in US

An A-10 Thunderbolt II (Warthog) crashed near Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, on Friday, according to the US Air Force.  The pilot ejected and was airlifted to a hospital; locals said he complained of a back injury.  As is the usual procedure, the incident will be investigated and a report issued in a month or more.

The A-10 has recently been used in Libya, most publicly attacking boats along the coast.

The Marine Times reports an AV-8B Read more

Fighter Pilot Describes Mission over Libya

As reported in the New York Times, US Air Force Capt. Ryan Thulin, an F-16 pilot stationed in Aviano Air Base, Italy, describes his recent (and first) combat mission, over Libya.

Of note, he flew an 8-hour mission out of Italy, refueling at least twice on the way in and the way out.  He dropped at least two 500-lb precision weapons on targets in Libya.

The Associated Press picture of Thulin accompanying the article shows him sporting a mustache.  He’s not participating in the fighter pilot tradition of growing a mustache while deployed, as he’s flying from his home base.  It’s just coincident timing:  the war in Libya occurred during Mustache March.

As an aside, the New York Times reports A-10s and AC-130s have entered the theatre, which may represent a shift in strategy from the generally high-altitude precision bombardment that has happened to date.

Air Force Pilots Punished After Flyby

A variety of sources report that six US Air Force pilots were punished over the 20 November 2010 flyby of the Iowa-Ohio State football game.  (Four flew the aircraft, two acted as ground coordinators.)  Soon after the event, it emerged the pilots may have been below required minimum altitudes.

The flight lead of the four-ship of T-38s, Maj Chris Kopacek, reportedly agreed to a deal including a reprimand and a voluntary removal from flight status to avoid a court martial.  He also signed a waiver of his privacy rights, allowing the Air Force to publicize its response to his actions.  From the Associated Press:  Read more

US Fighter Downed in Libya

According to the US Air Force, an F-15E Strike Eagle went down in Libya due to an “equipment malfunction.”  Both crewmembers are “back in US hands” after the pilot was retrieved by US Marines and the WSO was “recovered” by Libyan rebels.

Two crew members ejected from their U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle when the aircraft experienced equipment malfunction over northeast, Libya, March 21, at approximately 10:30 p.m. CET.

Both crew members ejected and are safe.

The press release also revealed that the aircraft was flying out of Aviano Air Base in Italy, home to other American units including an F-16 fighter unit.

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